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Hiking
Hiking is a fun and healthy way to see much of the natural beauty that exists in the Newport area. There are several trails to enjoy at Yaquina Head, as well as the educational trail system at Mike Miller Park. And for the ambitious hiker, there are also a number of excellent choices just to the south of us at the Cape Perpetua Scenic Area. Below are some of our favorites.
Cape Perpetua
Directions: Cape Perpetua is located in Yachats between Newport and Florence along Highway 101.
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Captain Cook Trail (to tidepools)
0.6-mile loop from the Interpretive Center, under Highway 101, through wind-sculpted vegetation, past an old CCC camp, Indian shell middens and tide pools. At high tide the Spouting Horn can be observed across Cook's Chasm. Paved, easy walk.
Cape Cove Trail (to beach)
0.3-mile trail past Cape Cove Beach connecting the Captain Cook Trail to the Trail of Restless Waters. Paved, easy walk.
Trail of Restless Waters (to Devil's Churn)
0.4-mile loop from the Devil's Churn parking area, past Devil's Churn along the lava rocks and tide pools to join the Cape Cove Trail 0.7-mile from the Interpretive Center. Watch for sneaker waves. Wheelchair accessible to ocean overlook. Paved, but steep trail.
Giant Spruce Trail
2.0 miles round trip from the Interpretive Center to the 500 year-old "Giant Spruce". The trail parallels Cape Creek and goes through old growth forest with lush ferns, skunk cabbage, and the sound of birds. Easy walk.
St. Perpetua Trail (to the viewpoint)
2.6 miles round trip from the Interpretive Center to the viewpoint. The switch-backed trail climbs the south face of Cape Perpetua and affords some excellent views of the Pacific Ocean. A 600-foot change in elevation occurs from the trail's lowest point to the top of the Cape. Moderate to difficult hike.
Whispering Spruce Trail
0.25-mile loop from the Viewpoint Road (Rd. 5553) parking lot, which is a 2.25-mile drive from the Interpretive Center. Great ocean views from the highest point on the Oregon Coast. Trail goes to CCC-built stone promontory and West Shelter. Easy walk.
Oregon Coast Trail (ocean views)
2.6 miles round trip from the Interpretive Center. This trail overlooks the rocky shoreline and ties into the Gwynn Creek and Cummins Creek Loop trails. Moderate walk.
Cook's Ridge/Gwynn Creek Loop Trail (old growth)
6.4-mile loop opportunity from the Interpretive Center through old growth forest, and has several ocean views. The trail begins at the top of the upper parking lot and goes around the Discovery Loop. Moderate hike.
Discovery Loop Trail (dense forest)
1.0-mile loop from the Interpretive Center on the Cook's Ridge Trail. Travels through a variety of forest stages. Moderate hike.
10. Cummins Creek Loop Trail (old growth)
10-mile loop from the Interpretive Center up Cook's Ridge Trail to Cummins Creek Trail, down to the Oregon Coast Trail and back to the Interpretive Center. The trail has ocean views and goes through old growth and open meadows. Moderate to difficult hike. The Cummins Creek Trail also loops back on itself to provide an alternative opportunity (6.25 miles) for mountain bikers and hikers.
Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area
At the north end of Newport, the Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area provides visitors with an accessible wildlife and ocean viewing location featuring birds, whales, seals, and tidepooling. For more information, visit www.blm.gov/or/resources/recreation/yaquina/index.php.
Mike Miller Park
Directions: Travel 1.2 miles south of Yaquina Bay Bridge in Hwy 101 to NE 50th St. Proceed approximately 1/4 mile. Mike Miller Park is located on the north side of the road, with an informational kiosk posted at the trailhead.
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Mike Miller Park Educational Trail
This trail will take you through a slice of one of the most productive and unique forests in the world, the Northwest Coast Sitka spruce forest.
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Stabilized Sand Dune
This dune was once along the shore of the Yaquina River, the soils are fragile and highly susceptible to wind erosion.
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Historic Railroad Grade
This path is actually an abandoned railroad bed from World War I.
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Lush Vegetation
Flowers abound here in the spring and berries are abundant in the summer. Pacific rhododendron is the dominant plant.
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Changing Vegetation
Notice the changes in the types of plants that are found as crossing the top of the dune.
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Nurse Logs
Decaying stumps and fallen giants provide a place for new plant growth to begin - hosting more organisms than there are people in the world!
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Old Tree
This large Sitka spruce is probably the oldest tree in Mike Miller Park.
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Changing Soil Types
A journey down this side path will lead you to a soils pit, where you can see a soil profile.
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Forest Canopy
Look up. You will see an opening in the forest. This allows plants to grow here that wouldn't thrive in a shady forest.
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Edges
The young Western Hemlock forest in front of you was planted in the mid-1970's and is growing quite vigorously.
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Springboard Notches
If you look closely toward the top of these stumps, you will see a large notch made by loggers while felling these forest giants.
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Snags
These upright rotting trees are called snags. Even though these snags are dead or dying, they are still a vital part of the forest providing homes for many birds and animals.
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Blow-downs
In this area trees have been blown down by wind and storms. Blow-downs are caused by many combined factors: harvesting, clear-cuts and naturally occurring openings.
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Tree Plantation
Young Sitka spruce trees were planted in 1986 and evidence of healthy growth can be seen forming.
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Natural Regeneration
Young Western Hemlock tree seedlings have thrived in this setting.
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Wetland Habitat
These riparian wetland areas are habitat for waterfowl, wildlife, frogs, newts, insect larvae and a multitude of other aquatic species.
